Brandon Marshall steps out of bounds -- and on hearts of Dolphins fans

Brandon Marshall's 46-yard reception from Miami quarterback Matt Moore late in the first quarter of Monday night's game against the New York Jets was by far the longest play from scrimmage all night. But it ended up being yet another disappointment for the hapless Dolphins.

Why? Because it could have been so much more. Check out the play -- there was no one near Marshall when he inexplicably went out of bounds at the Jets' 19. It had six points written all over it and could have given the Dolphins the lead -- instead they end up settling for a field goal and still trail, 7-6.

Could it have been the spark to turn their now 0-5 season around? Of course not. It might not have even made much of a difference in the outcome of the game, which the Jets won handily, 24-6.

But it would have been Moore's first touchdown pass in his first start with the Dolphins, who lost starting quarterback Chad Henne for the season after surgery on his separated left shoulder. It also would have been the second of the season and fifth overall as a Dolphin for Marshall, who has been solid but definitely not spectacular since coming to Miami last year.

In other words, it would have been something for the Dolphins fans, who probably are starting to think the next chance they'll really have something to cheer about is at the 2012 draft.

Marshall did have six catches for 109 yards on Monday night, which are pretty good numbers considering he was going against Jets stud Darrelle Revis.

But he didn't live up to his promise late last week that he would get ejected sometime in the second quarter. And he also didn't start a fight with Jets linebacker Bart Scott or cornerback Antonio Cromartie, something else Marshall said he might do.

OK, those are actually good things. But, again, not exactly something that is going to jump-start a down-and-out franchise.

ALSO:

Raiders on verge of completing deal for Carson Palmer

Brandon Lloyd trade can help Rams, fantasy owners -- but Broncos?

-- Chuck Schilken

Photo: Brandon Marshall. Credit: Andrew Mills / The Star-Ledger